Medal

Medal

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Description
Simon Flexner (1863-1946) was an American physician and physiologist who organized the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in 1901, served as the first director of this organization, and developed an effective therapy for meningococcal meningitis. During World War I, he led the effort to develop a more efficient way to produce the serum to prevent this dread disease and, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, distributed thousands of doses to Allied troops in Europe, free of charge. For this and other services to the Allied cause, the French government honored Flexner with the Legion of Honor: a Chevalier in 1914, an Officer in 1919, and a Commander in 1926. This large five-armed Maltese cross with red ribbon is Flexner’s Commander medal.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
Medal
Other Terms
Medal; Medals; Commemorative and Association
date made
1926
associated dates
1926 05 01 / 1926 05 01
1926 06 01 / 1926 06 01
place made
France
associated place
United States
France
Physical Description
metal, brass (overall material)
enamel (overall material)
fabric, silk (overall material)
red (overall color)
white (overall color)
green (overall color)
blue (overall color)
Measurements
overall:.3 cm x 5.5 cm x 8 cm; 1/8 in x 2 3/16 in x 3 1/8 in
ribbon: 3.8 cm x 21 cm; x 1 1/2 in x 8 1/4 in
ID Number
MG.M-09812.01
accession number
236094
catalog number
M-09812.01
Credit Line
Abraham Flexner
subject
Medicine
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Medicine
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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